[Have you already done your ecommerce setup but not yet confirmed that it's working properly? Click here for Stripe setup, here for Cybersource setup instructions or here for Authorize.net instructions.]

The convenience and overall added value of having a Merchant Account integrated into your website is a no-brainer. Setting one up for your new site can be a different story, though. So, before your begin, keep in mind that this is a bit of a bureaucratic pain in the rear-end, but everyone goes through it and never has to mess with it again. Expect two applications and a short setup session. Overall time investment should be 1-2 hours over the course of 1-2 weeks to have your MA up and running.

Who do I call? What do I sign? How do I know which type? These are some of the questions this document intends to demystify.

The Three Components
The ability to access credit cards online is comprised of 3 separate components (and vendors) working as one.
1. Your actual merchant account with a financial institution which enables you to accept credit card payments.
2. Your Cybersource or Authorize.Net or Stripe Gateway Account which in a sense "upgrades" that MA and allows it to accept transactions via the web (and not just the traditional storefront card-swipe machine.)
3. Your integration software component which allows your website to 'talk' to 1 and 2 in a secured, encrypted environment in the framework of a true online shopping cart experience.
Note: It is very possible that your organization ALREADY HAS components 1 and 2. Be sure to ask your treasurer, president, and anyone else in your organization who might know before you begin working on this. The questions are simple: "Do we have a merchant account? If yes, is it Cybersource or Authorize.Net compatible and do we have a Cybersource or Authorize.Net account?"

Who's Who?
Stripe or CyberSource or Authorize.Net Gateway Software. If they don't offer a compatible solution, you can go to any major bank and get one. Your Merchant Bank does not have to be the same as your checking account bank, so no worries there.

Stripe (or CyberSource or Authorize.Net) will be your second vendor. They will handle the second of the three components listed above. Stripe, CyberSource and Authorize.Net are separate entities from the bank and thus require a separate application. If you have any questions when setting up your CyberSource gateway account, contact:

Louis Cortes
CyberSource Corporation
http://www.cybersource.com
(801) 772-5607 (office)
lcortes@cybersource.com

Be sure to mention to Louis that you are implementing on the OmniMagnet platform; this will be important for the configuration settings later on.

Information about signing up with Authorize.net is available on their website at: http://www.authorize.net

Keep in mind that most merchant banks offer a 'combo' option where they basically resell gateway services. This is fine, and in some cases easier and less expensive. So ask your bank if they can take care of your gateway account (either CyberSource or Authorize.Net) for you.

Finally, web integration and a secure shopping cart are provided by us at no charge to you.

A word about Fees...
First, understand that 1 and 2 are separate entities and that all fees go to them--not to us. Your bank and your credit card gateway (Stripe, Cybersource or Authorize.Net) are 3rd-party vendors and your relationship with them is independent of us. Moreover, we do not touch the money. In other words, your users pay online, and the money goes DIRECTLY to your merchant bank via your credit card gateway to be deposited in your account usually within 24 hrs (minus bank's fees of course).

The fees are divided into 3 types:
a. Setup fee (usually around $150 for the Merchant Account and another $150 for the gateway). These fees change, so make sure you find out what they are at the time of application.
b. Administrative Monthly Fee (around $10-$25 per month).
c. Transaction fees (around 20-25 cents and 3-4% of amount per transaction depending on the card used.) Of course, you have the option of dealing with any Merchant Bank you wish--feel free to shop around for a good rate.

*Stripe is simple.  There are NO setup fees. Just 2.2% plus $0.30 per transaction (for non-profit organizations).

REMEMBER: No one likes fees. Especially bank fees. But it's more appropriate here to think of your Merchant Account as a PROFIT CENTER, not a COST CENTER. This is why every shop in the world accepts the reality of these fees. You get more business and also save a bundle on administrative costs due to the vast automation allowed by having ecommerce in your arsenal.

Possible hurdles: Personal Guarantors
Most Merchant Banks expect to have a person with good credit 'co-sign' the account as a Personal Guarantor. Due to the nature of non-profit / volunteer organizations, no one wants to sign. That's ok. Make sure the bank knows that you are a non-profit. Most likely, they will ask you for your 501c papers and other documents to establish the fact that your organization is legitimate. So be prepared for that. No worries--eventually everyone gets a merchant account.

Ok, ok, so what do I do need?
Step 1 - Make sure you understand all this info. This is simple, but heavy on details. A small investment of time up front reading through this--and asking any questions you might have--will save you a lot of time later on.
Step 2 - Contact your bank, and inquire regarding a Merchant Account (MA.) You need an MA before you can apply for your Gateway (Cybersource or Authorize.net.)
Step 3 - Once approved, download a gateway application (either Stripe, Cybersource or Authorize.Net), and fill it out.

Once you have completed this, please go to Section 3.4 of the Implementation Guide.